Crisis Ministry of Davidson County answers questions from the community

Published: Monday, July 8, 2013 at 10:12 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 8, 2013 at 10:12 p.m.

Concerns, complains, questions and doubts about Crisis Ministry of Davidson County were put out in the air Monday evening during a public meeting where slightly more than 50 people attended at the Ministry Center of Lexington Church of God.

Those in attendance were residents of the homeless shelter, volunteers, board members, employees, supporters and community members.

"We appreciate the community's holding us responsible. We appreciate you guys asking questions," said Eddie Lothridge, president of the board of directors.

The main topic of discussion was the bed bug ordeal and the organization's financial status. The organization serves as a source of temporary help for residents in a crisis such as emergency aid, hunger, homelessness or financial difficulties. It also provides case management, counseling and clothing while also assisting senior citizens on a monthly basis.

Lothridge begin the meeting with background information on the faith-based organization. He said they have huge support from local churches, businesses and individuals. He noted their purpose is to assist people the best they can by getting them help with disability, public assistance, food stamps and work.

"We want to be open and honest," Lothridge said. "We don't have anything to hide. Everything is out in the public. We love the Lord. Our intention is to serve the Lord."

Gayle Whitehead, executive director of Crisis Ministry, said the purpose of the meeting was to give residents the opportunity to ask questions after concerns and questions were raised from the community during the bed bug ordeal over the organization's finances. Information about the bug problem came out at a Davidson County Board of Commissioners meeting about a month ago when Whitehead asked for financial assistance that was denied. She asked the Lexington City Council for help as well. They voted to give the organization its annual allocation of $12,750 on July 1 at one time instead of two yearly installments and nothing extra. At that time she reported that they may have to close the shelter if they did not get enough money to replace everything.

Ever since then Whitehead noted that a lot of discussion has taken place in the community and on a Facebook group called "Concerned Citizens of Davidson County."

"A lot of untrue stuff was said about the ministry," she said. "It stirred up other people and put doubts in their minds. It was hurting our ministry and the people that need help the most."

Whitehead wanted to clear up any doubt that people may have had. She said the agency did have $94,405.87 in its money market account and $8,224.09 in a checking account. She emphasized the money market account is used in emergency situations such as the summer time when donations are down. That money covers electricity, operations of the shelter, and supplies such as washing powders, plates, cups, napkins and tissue.

"We just don't want people to have doubts about us," Whitehead said. "We save lives. We do a lot of good in this community."

Lothridge mentioned at the meeting that the first figures they had researched said the cost was $70,000 to get new mattresses and heating treatments. The price went down as organizations, businesses and people started donating services or giving discounts.

"The state of where we are is marvelous. We're bed bug free. We haven't paid for everything yet, but we will. We're not done with everything yet," Lothridge said.

On June 18 the organization had heat treatments and new furniture delivered. The furniture included couches, dressers and over 100 bed bug proof mattress and bed frames. Whitehead noted at the time they received chemically treated wooden beds as a temporary basis until their metal beds arrive. She hopes that will happen by the end of July. They were also able to get bed bug mattresses and pillow encasements to have double protection. There is also a certified bed bug dog visiting the shelter each month for a year to search for bugs.

The agency used discounts, donations and pledges from churches, organizations, businesses and individuals to pay for all of the services and purchases of new furniture. Whitehead said they probably received $78,000 worth of donated services.

Questions included what financial shape is the organization in now. Whitehead said until all of the money is collected the agency did move $30,000 from its money market account to the checking account. So far they have around $29,904.25 in pledges. They have only spent $18,254 so far.

Another question asked was how much did it cost to run she shelter at night. The answer is $28,000 to $30,000 depending on the number of people staying. There are 85 to 94 individuals and eight families staying at the shelter nightly.

One person asked how much money was donated to handle the problem before officials went to the commissioners and city council. They said $9,039 and $3,000 of that amount had already been spent to pay for a bed bug dog to come check out the facility and other expenses on trying to handle the bugs such as sprays.

Other questions asked concerned how much of the budget goes toward payroll. The answer was 28 to 30 percent. Someone asked what programs are provided to get people back into the real world. Officials noted programs at Davidson County Community College and other local organizations.

Volunteer Harlie James answered that question by sharing his testimony of being a drug addict for 27 years and coming to the shelter in 2006. At that time he was put into a drug program and stayed there for two years. He is now a board member.

"If it hadn't been for Crisis Ministry, and the program and God … I'll probably be dead today," he said.

At the meeting Lothridge addressed the yearly volunteer banquet that is held to thank individuals who spent time at the shelter. He also briefly talked about money that was used to send employees to a conference, which he explained prepares them to help the ministry.

"Everything is open. Everything is honest and everything is out," he said. "I guess you got a good picture of Crisis Ministry. We're just a bunch of good citizens trying to do what's right."

Other occupants of the shelter, employees and volunteers spoke. Volunteer Donnie Tysinger thanked everyone for coming whether they were against or supporters because either way they cared enough to come. He also encouraged them to come stay at the shelter one night.

"You will realize how blessed you are," he said. "They are people just like you and me. They are first-class citizens. There are some good folks in that place … good folks are running that place. Any organization has to have money. (The shelter) is not a fun place to be, but it is refuge through the storm. Thank God it's a God-based ministry."

Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Concerns, complains, questions and doubts about Crisis Ministry of Davidson County were put out in the air Monday evening during a public meeting where slightly more than 50 people attended at the Ministry Center of Lexington Church of God. </p><p>Those in attendance were residents of the homeless shelter, volunteers, board members, employees, supporters and community members. </p><p>"We appreciate the community's holding us responsible. We appreciate you guys asking questions," said Eddie Lothridge, president of the board of directors. </p><p>The main topic of discussion was the bed bug ordeal and the organization's financial status. The organization serves as a source of temporary help for residents in a crisis such as emergency aid, hunger, homelessness or financial difficulties. It also provides case management, counseling and clothing while also assisting senior citizens on a monthly basis.</p><p>Lothridge begin the meeting with background information on the faith-based organization. He said they have huge support from local churches, businesses and individuals. He noted their purpose is to assist people the best they can by getting them help with disability, public assistance, food stamps and work.</p><p>"We want to be open and honest," Lothridge said. "We don't have anything to hide. Everything is out in the public. We love the Lord. Our intention is to serve the Lord."</p><p>Gayle Whitehead, executive director of Crisis Ministry, said the purpose of the meeting was to give residents the opportunity to ask questions after concerns and questions were raised from the community during the bed bug ordeal over the organization's finances. Information about the bug problem came out at a Davidson County Board of Commissioners meeting about a month ago when Whitehead asked for financial assistance that was denied. She asked the Lexington City Council for help as well. They voted to give the organization its annual allocation of $12,750 on July 1 at one time instead of two yearly installments and nothing extra. At that time she reported that they may have to close the shelter if they did not get enough money to replace everything.</p><p>Ever since then Whitehead noted that a lot of discussion has taken place in the community and on a Facebook group called "Concerned Citizens of Davidson County."</p><p>"A lot of untrue stuff was said about the ministry," she said. "It stirred up other people and put doubts in their minds. It was hurting our ministry and the people that need help the most."</p><p>Whitehead wanted to clear up any doubt that people may have had. She said the agency did have $94,405.87 in its money market account and $8,224.09 in a checking account. She emphasized the money market account is used in emergency situations such as the summer time when donations are down. That money covers electricity, operations of the shelter, and supplies such as washing powders, plates, cups, napkins and tissue. </p><p>"We just don't want people to have doubts about us," Whitehead said. "We save lives. We do a lot of good in this community."</p><p>Lothridge mentioned at the meeting that the first figures they had researched said the cost was $70,000 to get new mattresses and heating treatments. The price went down as organizations, businesses and people started donating services or giving discounts.</p><p>"The state of where we are is marvelous. We're bed bug free. We haven't paid for everything yet, but we will. We're not done with everything yet," Lothridge said.</p><p>On June 18 the organization had heat treatments and new furniture delivered. The furniture included couches, dressers and over 100 bed bug proof mattress and bed frames. Whitehead noted at the time they received chemically treated wooden beds as a temporary basis until their metal beds arrive. She hopes that will happen by the end of July. They were also able to get bed bug mattresses and pillow encasements to have double protection. There is also a certified bed bug dog visiting the shelter each month for a year to search for bugs.</p><p>The agency used discounts, donations and pledges from churches, organizations, businesses and individuals to pay for all of the services and purchases of new furniture. Whitehead said they probably received $78,000 worth of donated services. </p><p>Questions included what financial shape is the organization in now. Whitehead said until all of the money is collected the agency did move $30,000 from its money market account to the checking account. So far they have around $29,904.25 in pledges. They have only spent $18,254 so far.</p><p>Another question asked was how much did it cost to run she shelter at night. The answer is $28,000 to $30,000 depending on the number of people staying. There are 85 to 94 individuals and eight families staying at the shelter nightly.</p><p>One person asked how much money was donated to handle the problem before officials went to the commissioners and city council. They said $9,039 and $3,000 of that amount had already been spent to pay for a bed bug dog to come check out the facility and other expenses on trying to handle the bugs such as sprays.</p><p>Other questions asked concerned how much of the budget goes toward payroll. The answer was 28 to 30 percent. Someone asked what programs are provided to get people back into the real world. Officials noted programs at Davidson County Community College and other local organizations. </p><p>Volunteer Harlie James answered that question by sharing his testimony of being a drug addict for 27 years and coming to the shelter in 2006. At that time he was put into a drug program and stayed there for two years. He is now a board member.</p><p>"If it hadn't been for Crisis Ministry, and the program and God … I'll probably be dead today," he said.</p><p>At the meeting Lothridge addressed the yearly volunteer banquet that is held to thank individuals who spent time at the shelter. He also briefly talked about money that was used to send employees to a conference, which he explained prepares them to help the ministry.</p><p>"Everything is open. Everything is honest and everything is out," he said. "I guess you got a good picture of Crisis Ministry. We're just a bunch of good citizens trying to do what's right."</p><p>Other occupants of the shelter, employees and volunteers spoke. Volunteer Donnie Tysinger thanked everyone for coming whether they were against or supporters because either way they cared enough to come. He also encouraged them to come stay at the shelter one night.</p><p>"You will realize how blessed you are," he said. "They are people just like you and me. They are first-class citizens. There are some good folks in that place … good folks are running that place. Any organization has to have money. (The shelter) is not a fun place to be, but it is refuge through the storm. Thank God it's a God-based ministry."</p><p>Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.</p>